• LIFE

  An agent revealed

  Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 04/08/2017

  » The 20th was the century of despots -- Hitler in Germany, Mussolini in Italy, Tojo in Japan, Stalin in Russia, Mao in China. Not to mention Pol Pot in Cambodia, Pilsudski in Poland, Salazar in Portugal, Papa Doc in Haiti. Tens of millions died at their behest. Even the bubonic plague, 600 years earlier, fell short.

• LIFE

  Open season on IS

  Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 27/04/2017

  » Though the president of the United States is a character in more than a few novels, he is a product of the authors' imaginations and bears little if any resemblance to the actual incumbents. In some stories he's idealised, in others vilified.

• LIFE

  Jack the lad

  Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 16/09/2016

  » It is common practice that when a popular author passes away, his estate seeks a replacement to step into his shoes. The new man is expected to emulate the original style to the extent possible. If notes have been left for future plots, so much the better.

• LIFE

  Waiting for the Fisherman

  Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 08/08/2016

  » When asked what I like/love about of the Land of Smiles, its climate is high on my list. Though born and bred in the Big Apple, I never cottoned on to its winter cold. It was worse backpacking through Scandinavia, Finland and Russia. As for racing over icy courses, skiers are welcome to the sport.

• LIFE

  Reinventing oneself

  Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 20/06/2016

  » It isn't uncommon for people to reinvent themselves when they move to another country. Doing so in their homeland is difficult, as they may well be recognised, even of they undergo cosmetic surgery. Yours truly had an interview column for a while, and more than a few subjects (farangs) made up lies about themselves as they went along.

• LIFE

  Hitting the right note

  Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 28/03/2016

  » One thing thriller novelists agree on is that their respective lands have an ultra secret elite force answerable only to the nation's leader. They are called upon to do the dirty work forbidden by international law -- assassinations at home and abroad.

• LIFE

  Hey presto

  Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 15/02/2016

  » In every category there's a person or group recognised as the best in their field of endeavour. Not all people agree with the judges' choice. Arguments invariably ensue over, "This award or prize goes to …..", "Are they blind or deaf? W, Y, Z was better than X by a long shot."

• LIFE

  Here we go again

  Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 04/08/2014

  » Mark Twain said that anybody could be president of the US, then quipped that anybody is. Sarcastic, but not untrue. In its less than two-and-a-half-century history, the US has had few chief executives worthy of the position. However, according to the democratic process, no matter how corrupt and/or incompetent, they are voted in and have to be voted out.

• LIFE

  Gregorian chants

  Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 21/07/2014

  » Since The Da Vinci Code, novelists have been trying to outdo Dan Brown with plots to rock the foundations of the beliefs of 1 billion Roman Catholics, but have had no discernible effect on Holy Mother Church. What became of Jesus, who lived and died a Jew, is a moot question.

• LIFE

  War: a way of life

  Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 14/01/2013

  » There is something fascinating, indeed appealing, about war _ the uniforms, martial music, patriotic fervour, bravery, medals. Not for the mothers and wives back home sick with worry, but for the straplings who can't wait to get into it. Which is why so many volunteer.

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